BASEBALL MEMORIES -PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Note: With the Baseball season on the horizon, let's talk about each major league team, starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Memories, reflections, opinions abound..

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Millennials may not know that the Pirates used to reside in National League East with our Phillies. In fact, they were the Phils' main rival. They battled for supremacy in the NL East in the 1970s. Those were great games- Schmidt, Carlton and Rose vs, Stargell, Parker and the rest of the Buccos of that era

Barry Bonds started out with Pittsburgh. He was a great left fielder, hit for average and power and could run like the wind. All pre- drug days.His didn't need to be on the juice. He won the league MVP award before the drugs.He carried Pittsburgh during that era, and the Pirates never really recovered after he left for free agency.

The Pirates have a soft spot in my heart. When I was sick as a kid, the Pirate organization sent me an autographed 1066 yearbook, including signatures of legends such as Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, Vernon Law and the manager at that time, Harry "The Hat" walker. Looking back, it's a wonder the Bucs didn't win more during the 60s with that great team, but they were contending against the Dodgers with Koufax and Drysdale; the Giants with Mays and McCovey and Marichal; and the always dangerous Cardinals with Brock and Gibson.

Forbes Field always fascinated me, with its huge scoreboard and ivy growing on the wall, ala Wrigley Field. The Bucs always seemed to have great closers in the bullpen- Elroy Face and his forkball; Kent Tekulve and his sinkerball.

Three Rivers Stadium was a cookie-cutter stadium, like Philly's Veterans Stadium, which were chic in the 70s. Their park now, PNC Park, is one of the best baseball stadiums in the league. The park stands near downtown Pittsburgh, overlooking the three rivers triangle, with the skyline and golden Roberto Clemente Bridge looming over the right field wall.

The Pirates went many years-16- without making a playoff appearance after the Barry Bonds days in the early 90s. They have it tough in NL Central with the powerhouse Cubs and always in contention St. Louis. But the Pirates at least have more young prospects in the pipeline now than before. They are spending the money it takes  in their farm system and scouting.

Pittsburgh has good, solid players on their current roster, including former MVP Andrew McCuthen. They should be in contention this season for a wild card spot. If they do make the playoffs, they need to get over the hump of getting knocked out in the wild card game two straight years, both at home.

Little known fact: singer Bing Crosby once was part-owner of the Pirates...Pirate Parrot isn't the best mascot in baseball (the Phillie Phanatic has that honor), but the Parrot isn't the worst.

I remember..Al Oliver..what a great pure hitter..Bill Madlock..another terrific hitter..Dave "Cobra" Parker, who, along with power, had maybe the best arm in right field at the time..John "Candy Man" Candeleria, the side-armer who gave left-handed batters fits.

Pittsburgh pitcher Vernon Law is one of the few Pirates still living form their great 1962 World Series team. Mr. law was nice enough to return my letter when I wrote to him last year. He was a solid, if not spectacular pitcher in the 60s. Pittsburgh always seemed to have good pitchers, not great ones. Pittsburgh always seemed to have hitters, however, always a Pirate contending with the batting title each year.

Finlly, who can forget the immortal Roberto Clemente. In an era of Mays, mantle, Aaron and other superstars of the 60s, Clemente stood out because he could do it all- run,hit, hit with power, play defense and throw He had a cannon arm. His trademark in right field was his basket catch of fly balls. he hit his share of home runs, but was known more for his slashing style at the plate, always  a threat for a double or triple with his above-average speed.

Even though Clemente is a true superstar and a hero and icon, especially in his home county of the Dominican Republic, where he is revered as a saint, not only for baseball but for his humanitarian efforts, Clemente to me is still underrated and overshadowed by the other fantastic players of his era.